The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-07-14
The President Declines.

President Cleveland declining to visit St.
Louis, and giving his reasons therefor !:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887.
To Hon. David r. Francis, Mayor and
Chairman.
MY DEAR SIR: When received the
extremely cordial and gratifying invita-
ton from the citizens of St. Louis ten
dered by number of her representative
men, to visit that city during the Nation.
al Encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic, I had been contemplating
for some time the acceptance of an invi-
tation from that organization to the same
effect. and had considered the pleasure it
would afford me if it should be possible
to meet, not only the members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, but the
people of St. Louis and other cities in
the West, which the occasion would give
me the opportunity to visit. The exac.
tions of my public duties felt so uncer-
tain, however, that when first confronted
by the delegates of which you were the
head expected to do no more at that
time than promise consideration of the
double invitation rendered me, and ex-
press the pleasure it would give me to
accept the same thereafter, if possible.
But the cordiality and sincerity of your
presentation, reinforced by the heartiness
of the good people who surrounded you,
so impressed me that I could not resist
the feeling which prompted me to assure
you on the spot that would be with you
and the Grand Army of the Republic at
the time designated, if nothing happened
in the meantime to absolutely prevent
my leaving Washington. Immediately
upon the public announcement OF this
conclusion, expressions emanating from
certain important members of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and increasing in
volume and virulence, constrained me to
review my acceptance of their invitations.
The expressions referred to 60 to the ex.
tent OF declaring that I would be an un.
welcome guest at the time and place of
the national encampment. This state.
ment is based, as we'll as can judge,
upon certain official acts of mine involv-
ing important public interests, done
under the restraints and obligations of
my oath of Office, which do not appear
to accord with the wishes of some mem.
bers of the Grand Army of the Republic.
[ refuse to believe that this organization,
founded upon patriotic ideas, composed
very largely of men entitled to lasting
honor and consideration and whose
crowning glory it should be that they are
American citizens as we'll as veteran
soldiers, deem it as part of its mission TO
compass any objection or purpose by at
tempting to intimidate the executive or
coerce those charged with making and
executing the laws. And yet, the ex'
pressions to which have referred indi-
cate such prevalence of unfriendly feel.
ing and such menace 10 the occasion,
which should be harmonious, peaceful
and cordial, that they cannot be ignored.
beg you to understand that am not
conscious of any act of mine which
should make me fear meeting the Grand
Army of the Republic or any other
assemblage of my fellow citizens. An
account of my official stewardship is
always ready for presentation to my
countrymen. I should not be frank if 1
failed to confess, while disclaimipg all
resentment, that have been hurt by the
unworthy and wanton attack upon me
growing out If this matter, and the
reckless manner in which my actions
and motives have been misrepresented,
both publicly and privately, for which,
however, the Grand Army of the Repub.
lie. as a body, is By no means responsible.
The threats of personal violence and
harm, in case I undertake the trip in
question, which scores of misguided, un.
balanced men, under the stimulation of
excited feelings, have made, are not even
considered. Rather than abandon my
visit to the West and disappoint your
citizens, l might, if 1 alone were con.
cerncerned, submit to the insult which,
it is quite openly asserted, l would be
helplessly subjected to if present at the
encampment. But I should bear with
me.there the peoples highest Office, the
dignity of which I must protect. And l
believe that neither the Greand Army of
the Republic, as an organization, nor
anything like majority of its members
would ever encourage any scandalous at.
tack upon it. If, however, among the
membership of this body there are some
las certainly seems to be the case) deter
mined to denounce me, and my official
acts at the national encampment, l be.
lieve they should be permitted to do so,
unrestrained by my presence as a guest
of. their organization or as guest of the
hospitable city in which their meeting is
held. A number of Grand Army posts
have signifed their intention, I am in.
formed, to remain away from the encamp.
ment in case l visit st. Louis at that
time. Without considering the merit Of
such an excuse, 1 feel that I ought not to
be the cause of such non.attendance.
The time and place of the encampment
were fixed long before my invitations
were received. Those desiring to parti.
cipate in its proceedings should be first
regarded, and nothing should be permit
ted to interfere with their intentions.
Another consideration of more impor.
tance than all others remains to be
noticed. The fact was referred to by
yon when you verbally presented the
Invitation of the citizens of St. Louis,
that the coming encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic would be
held in Southern State. Isuppose this
fact was mentioned as a pleasing indica-
ton of the fraternal feeling so fast
gaining ground throughout the entire
land, and hailed by every patriotic citizen
as an earnest that the union has really
aud in fact been saved, in sentiment nnd
spirit, with all the benefits it vouchsafes
to united people. I cannot rid myself
the belief that the least discord on this
propitious occasion might retard the
progress of the sentiment of common
brotherhood which the Grand Army Of
the Republic has so good an opportunity
to increase and foster. l certainly ought
not to be the cause of such discord in
any event or upon any pretext.
1t seems that you and the citizens of
st. Louis are entitled to this unreserved
statement of the conditions which have
constrained me to forego my contemplated
visit and to withdraw my acceptance Of
you invitation. My presence in your
city at the time you have indicated can
be of but little moment, compared with
the Importance of the cordial and har.
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